# NTSB ATL85LA093: Beech A36, N6088S, New Albany, MS, February 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1985, 22:10 local (Feb 10, 1985, 04:10 UTC)
- Place: New Albany, MS
- Coordinates: 34.489746, -89.019416 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4897&lon=-89.0194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA093

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel boost pump selector position - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
- Nose down, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

PIC HAD 1/2 HOUR CHECK-OUT IN A-36 BUT OVER 3900 TOTAL FLIGHT HOURS. HIS 14 HOURS IN THIS ACFT WAS CROSS COUNTRY FLYING. HE STATED THAT THE FUEL WAS KEPT EVENLY DIDTRIBUTED BY SWITCHING THE FUEL SELECTOR BETWEEN TANKS DURING THE NEARLY THREE HOUR FLIGHT. THE PIC/CFI COMMENTED THAT WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT IT SOUNDED LIKE FUEL STARVATION. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE UNDAMAGED FUEL SYSTEM AND INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED 15 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK, 0 IN THE LEFT, FUEL SELECTOR ON THE RIGHT TANK, & THE AUXILIARY FUEL BOOST PUMP OFF-PILOT'S HANDBOOK CALLS FOR AUXILIARY PUMP 'ON' WITH LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6088S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6088S-2013-04-25), registration cancelled 2013-04-25, S/N E-785, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-785
- Airframe hours: 3464
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO 520-BA10 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Metro Flying Club
- Registered owner: Simaitis, Sanford B. Debra L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 7, 1984
- Departed: MGM, MONTGOMERY, AL
- Destination: OLV, OLIVE BRANCH, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,960 total, 14 in this make and model, 3,751 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 192 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850209002879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850209002879A), Feb 9, 1985: Beech A36, New Albany, MS, Substantial damage. Ran left fuel tank dry, unable to restart on right tank containing 15 gallons. Did not use auxiliary fuel pump

## Other investigations on N6088S (2)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW93LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA097), Mar 7, 1993: Beech A36 (N6088S), Plano, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: FUEL STARVATION INDUCED POWER LOSS RESULTANT FROM FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SWITCH THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE PROPER FUEL TANK. FACTORS WERE THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS AND LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A…
- [NTSB LAX81IA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81IA011), Nov 3, 1980: Beech A36 (N6088S), Oroville, CA, incident, minor damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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